Before the Lincoln Day Dinner at Pike’s in Fairbanks, a crowd of about 200 protesters showed up with signs, as they have been doing across the state.
But the Republicans in Fairbanks were ready for them: They posted a 4×8 sign in front of the venue that said, “Welcome Peaceful Protesters We Respect Your First Amendment Rights.”
The sign instructed them to respect private property boundaries. Several “property boundary” signs were installed along the property line.
Inside, the annual Lincoln Day Dinner, a fundraiser for area Republican committees, proceeded. US Sen. Dan Sullivan was the keynote speaker, and many auction items being bid on by those attending, including a lynx pelt by none other than Sen. Mike Cronk, a legendary hunter and trapper.
Two local Republicans appeared in masks depicting Donald Trump and Elon Musk:
Sen. Sullivan’s speech was fiery, and at one point he took a copy of the 70 executive orders that President Joe Biden has made against Alaska and tore it up, tossing the pieces to the crowd like confetti.
The sold-out event brought people from across the state: Bernadette Wilson from Anchorage, Pam Melin and CJ Koan came from the Mat-Su Valley, and Commissioner of Revenue Adam Crum flew in for the event. Party Chairwoman Carmela Warfield served as the emcee. Patty Weissel received the Ruth Burnett Republican Woman of the Year award for his distinguished service.
